National Postal Meter M1 Carbine W/Union Switch & Signal Receiver 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,080.00
LSB#: WY240714LP141
Make: National Postal Meter produced by Union Switch & Signal. BLUE SKY IMPORT.
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 4384770
Year of Manufacture: Receiver Early 1944, Barrel date 2-44
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi-Automatic
Markings:
The top-rear of the receiver is marked “NATIONAL / POSTAL METER ”, and “4384770” with the “U” stamp on the bevel for Union Switch & Signal. This is a very rare receiver with only 50,592 known to have been produced.
The top-front of the receiver is marked “U.S. Carbine”, “CAL .30 M1”.
The barrel is marked with “UNDERWOOD 2-44” with the flaming bomb. There is a very faint “P” about 3 inches back from the front sight. The left side of the barrel is marked with “BLUE SKY / ARLINGTON, VA”. There is a known issue with Blue Sky imported guns in that sometimes they stamped the import mark so deep it took the barrel out of round. Before firing this rifle please have it evaluated by a competent gunsmith.
The front sight is marked “RIA” for Rock Island Arsenal a post war rebuild part
The rear sight is marked “PI” for Packard Inland. These “PI” marked adjustable sights were the first adjustable sights produced by Inland. Used starting in May of 1944.
The barrel band is marked “AMCO” a post war rebuild part.
The slide is marked “AOB” and “17” and Auto Ordinance slide produced for IBM.
The trigger group is marked “-U-” in the magazine well for Underwood. This trigger group also has a Flaming Bomb stamp.
The hammer is marked with “AM” a post war rebuild part.
The magazine release is marked “CCM” a post war rebuild part
The rotary safety is marked “SS” This is a rebuild marked rotary safety.
The sear is unmarked
The upper handguard is marked “LW” for Lumb Woodworking Co.
The stock is marked in the sling cut with a “4” there are no other visible markings on the stock.
The Lug is unmarked.
Barrel Length: 18″
Sights / Optics:The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears. The rear sight is the later style sliding aperture sight with a serrated windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a low-wood, oval cut stock with a 4 rivet upper handguard, Type 3 barrel band with bayonet lug, and a checkered metal butt plate. This rifle has a rotary style safety. The LOP is 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The metal buttplate has lost most of its finish, has semi dulled checkering and has begun to turn brown with patina. The wood has been sanded and refinished. The upper handguard has minor scratches, dings and compressions with a chip out of two of the rivet holes. The stock itself shows very minimal scratches and compressions. The nose is Very clean. There are some small chips from the oval cut, and a chip from the belly just behind the pommel. Overall the wood on this rifle is in about Very Good condition as refinished for C&R.
Type of Finish: Parkerized.
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10 assuming that the barrel is in round which it appears to be. There is a known issue with Blue Sky imported guns in that sometimes they stamped the import mark so deep it took the barrel out of round. Before firing this rifle please have it evaluated by a competent gunsmith.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its original metal finish. All of the metal surfaces have turned Green and Brown with patina from age. The barrel and band show minor wear with the discoloration being the only real issue. The receiver group likewise shows very little wear with heavy discoloration. The screwheads are sharp and the markings are mostly clear. Overall this rifle is in about Very Good to Very Good + condition for C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The M1 Carbine, a lightweight, semi-automatic rifle, gained fame during World War II as a versatile firearm used by various military units, including infantry, paratroopers, and support personnel. Union Switch and Signal (US&S), primarily known for producing railroad equipment, contributed to the war effort by manufacturing M1 Carbine receivers under contract with the U.S. military for National Postal Meter during 1943-44. While Union Switch and Signal primarily focused on producing electrical and signaling equipment for railways, the company transitioned to wartime production to support the Allied effort. Alongside other manufacturers, US&S produced M1 Carbine receivers to meet the demand for lightweight, portable firearms suitable for personnel not equipped with standard rifles. The M1 Carbine receivers manufactured by Union Switch and Signal are part of the broader history of wartime production, where various companies across the United States contributed to the massive effort to arm and equip Allied forces during World War II. The collaboration between Union Switch and Signal and National Postal Meter exemplifies the coordinated effort among different companies to meet the demand for firearms during the war years. Today, National Postal Meter M1 Carbines with Union Switch and Signal receivers are prized by collectors for their historical significance and relative rarity compared to M1s produced by other manufacturers. The additional inclusion of the relatively rare Underwood produced trigger housing adds to the rarity of this rifle even more. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos Via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
